Whats the latest on AirTran's proposed growth at DFW? I know they have opened BWI, and MCO. What about their plans for further expansion - with especially the routes out west. Does anyone have any info on this? Seems like the airTran talk around big-D has just dwindled a bit lately.

AirTran is moving to four gates at the B-Terminal the first or second week of January. LAS starts in February. Supposedly AirTran has committed to at least 24 flights per day. Posted on another board: LAX and TPA begin in May; SFO and FLL start in July; MDW and PHL next Fall; and PHX and LGA after that but these are not official. All these are supposed to be on the 717 but there is also talk of a 737 base at DFW.

I work for Southwest, but the views expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Southwest.

I don't believe that about FL will flying from DFW-FLL in summer 2004 and which one will be completition of DL & AA on these flight, too. Why would like to know about AirTran is after with DL & AA to FLL?

Yes, it possible will flying on the newest B737-700 aircraft from DFW hub to SFO, LAX, SEA, PDX, LAS and etc. It is very pretty soon will be getting first FL -700s aircraft.

FL has 50 firm orders for 737-700's and -800's, with another 50 options. The 738's will be needed for some of the California/Florida/Vegas flights. DFW-LAX/SFO in a 738 does not seem out of the question

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 2003--AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today announced at a press conference at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport that the airline has placed an order for 100 new Boeing 737-700 and -800 series aircraft - of which 50 are firm orders and 50 are options.

The DFW-LAS flight will be flown using 717s, as Ryan International's 4 A320 are already commited out of ATL (1 for ATL-LAS, 1 for ATL-LAX, 1 for ATL-SFO, and one as a spare. And the 1 used for ATL-SFO is typically used for ATL-MCO in the evening, which returns in the morning to usually make out the SFO flight). So unless Ryan's adding some additional A320s, I doubt you'll be seeing any at DFW unless it is a diversion.

The DFW-LAS flights starting in February will definitely be operated with AirTran 717s.

AirTran has 28 firm orders for 737-700s. There is also an agreement to lease 22 737s. The remaining fifty are options. I believe the -700s can be switched to -800s with 15 months notice. No winglets are planned at this time. Delivery of the -700 begins in June 2004 with a first flight tentatively scheduled for July 1st. Expect the 737s to take over all Ryan Int'l flying by the end of the year.

Seventy-three 717s have been delivered but a few have not yet entered service. At least six (maybe up to fourteen) are to be added next year. I'm not sure of the status of the ships being returned by Hawaiian.

I work for Southwest, but the views expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Southwest.

The west coast flights would hurt DL a lot, I would think. They used to fly 767s to LAX, now it's 738. And the SFO 757s have been replaced with some 733s. Plus, if they choose to fly to SNA or OAK, then who wouldn't want to fly a 737 or 738 instead of a DL CR7?

AirTran has 28 firm orders for 737-700s. There is also an agreement to lease 22 737s. The remaining fifty are options. I believe the -700s can be switched to -800s with 15 months notice. No winglets are planned at this time. Delivery of the -700 begins in June 2004 with a first flight tentatively scheduled for July 1st. Expect the 737s to take over all Ryan Int'l flying by the end of the year.

Making sure I understand....

the 28 (Boeing) and the 22 (lease) are -700 officially, but can be switched to -800. Who are the leases from?

I just find it fascinating that they would do an ATL-DFW run that Delta has a lot of seats on already. *shrug* You would think that places like STL would be more attractive for expansion since AA is reducing that to almost nothing. I know SWA was taking advantage of it by expanding their presence - why not move in a new airline?

Are you kidding me? They announced a few months back that they were all but pulling out of STL. Originally, they were just converting it into a regional jet hub only. Now, they have really dropped presence there from what I understand. I figured it would happen. There is no reason why they should maintain 3 separate Midwest hubs like that.